Japanese retail sales fell for 3rd straight month amid weak consumer spending
India Today
Analysts expect Japan's economy to sharply contract in the first quarter, as lacklustre consumer spending and weakening exports create challenges for policymakers who have already rolled out massive stimulus.
Japanese retail sales fell for the third straight month in February as households kept a lid on expenditure amid the coronavirus emergency, underscoring the fragile nature of the economy's recovery from last year's slump. Analysts expect Japan's economy to sharply contract in the first quarter, as lacklustre consumer spending and weakening exports create challenges for policymakers who have already rolled out massive stimulus. Retail sales lost 1.5% in February from a year earlier, government data showed on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the median market forecast for a 2.8% drop. But it marked the third straight month of declines following January's 2.4% fall and a 0.2% drop in December.
As the war enters its fourth week, airlines are struggling to cope with a sharp rise in jet fuel prices, which have surged significantly in a short span of time. The impact is already visible for passengers, with ticket prices expected to rise in the coming months as airlines try to protect already thin profit margins.
The world is already feeling the heat as the West Asia conflict enters its fourth week, pushing global crude oil prices higher. In this article, we speak to experts to understand whether this shock could tip the world toward a recession.
The additional allocation will be subject to commercial establishments registering with oil companies and applying for a piped natural gas connection, according to a letter written by the oil secretary to states.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that the impact of the ongoing Iran war on the aviation sector is likely to be visible from April 1, when the Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will be revised.
A new government directive on free seat allocation has triggered sharp opposition from airlines, who warn it could push up fares, hurt affordability and reshape how tickets are priced across India's aviation sector.
This is the third part of Lock & Key, a series that looks at how India's bank locker system works, the risks involved, and what customers need to know. After examining safety and insurance in the first two parts, this story focusses on a new problem – access.
The former RBI Govenor said a 15–20% global energy disruption would require sharp demand cuts, pushing oil to $150–$200 per barrel, risking severe economic stress if the conflict continues another month.
Venkataraman joined Flipkart in 2015 and has been part of the company's leadership team through a period of growth and restructuring. During his tenure, he helped strengthen the company's financial operations.
The gold rate today is around Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams for 24-carat gold, while 22-carat gold is near Rs 1.4 lakh, with prices edging higher after recent losses. Silver is also seeing a slight uptick after a volatile phase.
Early indicators suggest a positive start. GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 23,250.5 at around 08:24 am, indicating that the Nifty 50 may open above Thursday's close of 23,002.15.
With multiple energy hubs under threat, the risk to global supply chains has increased sharply. For countries like India, which depend heavily on imports, this means higher costs and tighter supply in the near term.